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NEWS: Following Vigil & Thirst Strike, President Biden Announces Actions to Protect Workers and Communities from Extreme Heat

July 27, 2023

"I am proud of the Texas workers who have spoken up about the lack of water breaks on the job."

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas), who recently was on an all-day thirst strike on the U.S. Capitol steps, releases the following statement on President Joe Biden’s announcement of actions to protect workers and communities from extreme heat.

“The Biden Administration understands that families across Texas and America deserve dignity on the job and protection from extreme heat,” said Greg Casar (D-Texas). “I am proud of the Texas workers who have spoken up about the lack of water breaks on the job. Today, the President made it clear that he’s listening. Our government should work for working people, not for greedy corporations that exploit their workers and fill extremist Republicans’ campaign coffers. Together, we will finally win a federal heat standard and the right to water breaks and safety for every American worker.” 

President Biden mentioned the lack of water breaks in Texas during his remarks: 
“Even those who deny that we’re in the midst of a climate crisis, can’t deny the impact that extreme heat is having on Americans… the construction workers who literally risk their lives working all day in blazing heat, and in some places don't even have the right to take a water break. That’s outrageous. That is outrageous.

“As you know, Texas cities are in a battle with the state for local control but we’re going to do everything possible to protect our most vulnerable workers, especially those outdoor works for basically things like being able to access water breaks.

“The idea that you can't have mandatory water breaks when you’re working on a construction. Hell. When I played football, who during summer practice, didn’t provide water, you know, on a regular basis, he got in trouble, got fired. Man, what are we doing here? What is going on with some of this stuff?”

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Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio.  A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.